LONDON,— Ozzy Osbourne, the English-born rocker who rose to global fame as the lead vocalist of the pioneering heavy metal group Black Sabbath and later became a reality TV personality, has died at age 76, according to a statement from his family on Tuesday.
The statement said Osbourne passed away in the early hours of the morning surrounded by loved ones.
“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love,” the family said.
Born John Michael Osbourne in Aston, Birmingham, he overcame a troubled youth and a brief stint in prison before forming Black Sabbath in the late 1960s.
With hits like “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” and “War Pigs,” Osbourne helped define the heavy metal sound that would influence generations of musicians.
Known for theatrical live shows and sometimes controversial stage antics, Osbourne shocked fans and critics alike in 1982 when he bit the head off a bat during a performance — a moment he later said was accidental, believing the bat to be a toy.
The incident became part of rock lore and fueled both criticism and fascination.
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Despite the notoriety, Osbourne’s music career endured. Including his solo albums, he sold over 100 million records worldwide. His music often explored dark themes such as war, destruction, and mental health, underscored by pounding guitar riffs and gothic stage design.
Osbourne frequently clashed with religious organizations and parent groups in the 1980s and ’90s who accused his lyrics of promoting violence and satanism.
He rejected those claims, saying in a 2010 autobiography, “I’ve done some bad things in my time. But I ain’t the devil. I’m just John Osbourne: a working-class kid from Aston who quit his job in the factory and went looking for a good time.”
In 2002, Osbourne reached a new generation of fans when he and his family starred in the MTV reality show “The Osbournes,” which documented their life in Beverly Hills. The show revealed a softer, more humorous side to the rock icon and became one of MTV’s biggest hits.
Osbourne’s wife, Sharon, served as his manager and co-star on the show. Together, they had five children: Aimee, Kelly, Jack, and two others from previous relationships. He was also a grandfather.
In 2020, Osbourne revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which later made it difficult for him to perform and limited his mobility.
His final live performance took place on July 5 in Birmingham. Sitting during most of the concert, Osbourne struggled with speech at times but managed to thank fans for their decades of support.
The show featured tributes from fellow musicians, including James Hetfield of Metallica, Elton John, and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.
Britain’s Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who represents a Birmingham district in Parliament, expressed condolences on social media, calling Osbourne “one of the greatest gifts my city gave the world.”
No official cause of death was released at the time of publication.
(With files from Reuters)
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